COVID vaccination programs begin in some Saskatchewan schools

The biggest school mass vaccination campaign Saskatchewan has ever seen is getting underway in some parts of the province, including Regina.

High school students are expected to get their chance at a COVID-19 vaccine first.

In late May, the provincial government announced youths starting at age 12 would become eligible for their first shot vaccinations through their schools.

Details on timing, schedules and even locations for many areas of the province, though, are still being finalized.

However, all parents, guardians and caregivers should have a set of four letters from their kids– a letter informing them of the mass vaccination program, a consent form, information about the Pfizer vaccine and after-care instructions.

On Friday, Health Minister Paul Merriman said the plan was coming together.

“We’re working with all the school divisions across the province to make sure that they have facilities we can access as the health authority to be able to go in,” he said.

“And we feel it is very, very important that we get into the schools to make sure that those children have access to the vaccines in kind of a captive area where they go to school.”

Merriman said school immunization programs in the past have been very successful. More than 90,000 youth are eligible for a vaccine through their school.

According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the vaccinations may or may not take place on school property. In some cases, students may have to go to a nearby location to receive their immunization.

The goal is to have all eligible school-aged children who want or have permission to get a vaccine getting access to one by the end of the school year.

The Saskatoon Public School Division said it’s still working with the SHA to determine schedules, times and dates, although vaccinations in that school district weren’t expected to begin on Monday.

Once more information is known, parents and guardians will be informed. More information can be found here.